4th Annual Intergenerational Ride for Monterey County Bike Month

The 2012-2015 annual Intergenerational Rides in celebration of Bike Month have been among Bicycling Monterey’s numerous projects that help build bike community and encourage people of all ages to ride.

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4th Annual Intergenerational Ride

May 9, 2015

Free! Fun! Visitors and locals are invited to this social ride for all ages and abilities on May 9, 2015. You’ll be with a diverse bunch of cool people, kind and supportive experienced riders, and a free mobile mechanic. And you’ll have beautiful views as you bike this paved route, nearly all Class I (no cars), that is part of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail network.

Below are directions to the meet-up spot,

what to bring,

FAQs,

coastal trail etiquette,

and other useful details.

[Media professionals: Scroll to the end for media release.]

“When people say, ‘tip of the helmet,’ do they mean to tip it back like this when you get your picture taken, so your face can be seen?”

Sillies! You girls know a bike helmet is intended to cover your forehead. And we love it you girls came to the 2013 and 2014 rides. We hope to see you little ones again on May 9, 2015, along with teens, 30-somethings, grandparents, and every age in-between.

This is a recreational ride, not a race. If they wish, riders may be grouped with others according to desired pace and destination. We’ll also take 5-10 minute breaks several times along the way, which gives folks a chance to regroup.

This year’s free service will be provided from Fort Ord Dunes to Custom House Plaza and back by a certified mechanic courtesy of Bay Bikes of Carmel and Monterey. Those wishing to be sure they ride back with the mechanic are advised to congregate at lunchtime at the picnic tables under the shade trees on the northwest side of Custom House Plaza (pictured below). Look for the mechanic, Brian Tucker, in a Bay Bikes jersey.

Where does the ride begin? What time does it start?

We begin at the parking lot of Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Gather there by 10 a.m. Scroll down for detailed directions for reaching our meet-up location.

Our mechanic, Brian Tucker, plans to arrive extra early–by 9:15 or 9:30 a.m.He’s coming early so there is sufficient time to help earlybirds who know their tires need to be properly inflated. No pump? No worries. Our free mobile mechanic (dressed in a Bay Bikes jersey), and many other riders, are happy to share theirs.

At the start of the Intergenerational Ride, while folks are gathering, please look for volunteer Roy Piña. He will be helping with the Intergenerational Ride Sign-In Sheet. Every participant is to enter their name and city or county of residence.

and Vera Noghera (below)

Frank Henderson (below)

is another veteran of the Intergenerational Rides, having attended every year. Frank Henderson is a League of American Bicyclists licensed certified instructor (LCI) and Transportation Agency for Monterey County Golden Helmet winner. As KION reminded viewers in a 2/12/14 broadcast, Frank is a great resource for your riding skills and safety questions. Bring yours to ask of this local expert.

Frank volunteers at the Aquarium most Saturdays, including this one. That means that if you have questions for him, ask on the way to Custom House Plaza (he’s off to the Aquarium after we reach the plaza).

Ariana Green

Jeff Richman

C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, Dad! Let’s get going!

Photo above courtesy of Jerrod Adams

We’ll aim to start pedaling no later than 10:15 or so. It’s important to be mindful that little ones can get restless if adults linger and chat too long at the outset of a ride. At short breaks on the ride, and at lunchtime, there will be chances to visit with folks more.

This year, there’s one change: At the beginning, bike community groups and others are still invited to introduce themselves, but very briefly. Then, at several spots along the way, we will pause biking for 5-10 minutes or so to regroup. At these spots, organizations or individuals may wish to briefly share something about the joy they find in biking.

This change will also make it easier for riders of all paces to stay together for the duration of the ride. Remember: C-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y ride, not a race.

Have a bike-related flier or card you’d like to share? Anyone is welcome to make such items available to interested others during the ride.

Bike laws and trail etiquette

Get ready! In advance of the Intergenerational Ride, please check out these resources at Bicycling Monterey. Questions? No worries. Contact me.

Remind riders to leave one earbud out, as this guy does, so they can hear if another rider calls out to them. Besides, it’s CA law, VC Section 27400.

Is the ride suitable for children?

Children of all ages—supervised by parent or legal guardian—are welcome.

Most parents and guardians will be delighted by the safety of this route. If you choose to travel that far, note that there’s one very brief section, behind the Sand City shopping centers, where it’s necessary to share the road with cars. (See “Tioga” area on bike map, and the three photos directly below of this area taken from our rides in 2013 and 2014.)

Each year,

Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Cycling Club riders

are among this ride’s beloved “spandex-clad heroes.”

They provided parents with young children, and others, a watchful eye in the brief tricky spots on this route. See Bicycling Monterey’s comment here, and note the photo below from the 2013 ride, provided courtesy of Steve Benes of Gears 4 Good. (By the way, don’t have a bike, or the funds to purchase a used or new bike? Contact Steve at Gears 4 Good about his free recycled bicycles for those who need a ride.)

Then you’re quickly back on Class I (no cars) trail.

Regardless of helpfulness from NPS, Velo Monterey, and other experienced riders, remember that responsibility for the safety of all minors rests with their own parent or guardian.

Any minors attending must be supervised by their parent or guardian. Everyone participates at their own risk.Read more about that below (scroll down), including that all participants are to sign-in.

Class I, no cars! And out here, not congested with pedestrian traffic either.

The ride starting point (Fort Ord Dunes State Park parking lot) is part of a section of Monterey County’s Class I (no motor vehicles) bike/multi-use trail system that is not heavily traveled, yet still includes miles of beautiful coastal views. The ride continues on all Class I bikeway, other than that one exception behind the Sand City shopping centers.

And not only will you be biking Class I, the longest stretch of the day’s ride will have three paved lanes: a striped two-lane path for cyclists, with a separate lane alongside for runners and walkers.

Yes, part of the fabulous Class I path that will be enjoyed by the InterGen riders!

What if I’m not super fit?

The ride is mostly flat. What about the few gentle hills? Even if you haven’t pedaled uphill in a while, no worries. Some folks will be glad to get off and walk with you as needed. This ride is simply for fun, not competition. The point is to be at ease and enjoy the day on our beautiful bikeways. No matter your fitness level, you are encouraged to come and be supported by a happy community of people on bikes!

Below: On the 2012 Intergenerational Ride. This is again part of the route on 5/9/15.

What kind of bikes?

All non-motorized wheels are welcome. That includes all types of bicycles, including beach cruisers, BMX, cargo, commuter, fixed gear, lowrider, mountain, recumbent, road, tandem, touring, trail-a-bike, vintage, and other people-powered bicycles. And you bet, little ones in bike trailers or on mounted bike seats are very welcome!

People will be riding old clunkers as well as spiffy new bikes, so come with whatever you have. This isn’t a bike fashion show. Just come!

But speaking of fashion…sure, we hope you fashionistas will come and add your colorful pizzazz to the ride!

How far will we go? And what about lunch?

Some riders (perhaps young children who need to get home earlier for naps) may ride a shorter distance. Riders are encouraged to travel the pace and distance most comfortable for them.

Have other plans for the afternoon? Feel free to come out at 10 a.m. to say hello, hear the intros, and ride with us a short while.

Many riders will bike to Custom House Plaza, Monterey. (How far is that? From Fort Ord Dunes State Park to Custom House Plaza is about 7.7 miles, or 15.4 miles round-trip. Google bike directions say that takes about one and a half hours, but we take our time! Allow perhaps 4-5 hours for greeting one another at the start, biking the round-trip, and having lunch–or even longer if we often stop to savor views en route.)

On arrival at Custom House Plaza, folks can visit while enjoying a “brown bag” lunch (bring your own sandwich or other food). There are shaded picnic tables, or if it’s chilly, enjoy the plaza’s benches in the sunshine.

Remember: The picnic tables are the lunchtime spot where folks will gather who want to be sure they can ride back with the complimentary mechanic.

Closest public restrooms at lunchtime? Two are just off the bike/multi-use trail by Wharf II.

One is on the trail side of the building to the right of these Intergenerational Riders, the Bachofner family of Seaside.

Another public restroom is that building to the left of this couple, at the foot of Wharf II.

If you prefer to purchase lunch…

Check in with the mechanic upon arrival at the Custom House Plaza. At that point, he and picnicking riders will likely have an idea of the approximate time they’ll depart the Custom House Plaza area to ride back to the Fort Ord Dunes parking lot. (Estimated time? Maybe 12:30 or 1 p.m. It varies, depending on bathroom trips, length of time folks want to visit, etc.)

An alternative to bringing your own “brown bag” lunch is to purchase lunch at one of the many restaurants near Custom House Plaza. Below are three examples: HER Helmet Thursdays spots The Wharf Marketplace, Pino’s Cafe, and Peter B’s Brewpub. (Even though Saturdays aren’t a day for the Thursday discounts, it’s cool to support extra bike-friendly spots!)

May 9, 2015 is also the date of Springfest Arts & Crafts Faire at the Custom House Plaza. These events typically feature food booths. Very handy for Intergenerational Riders who don’t pack their own lunch!

Bring a brown bag lunchfor yourself, unless you prefer to purchase your lunch near Custom House Plaza or elsewhere.

Bringing a camera? Unless you’ve obtained permission of the individuals in the photos, kindly do notpost photos from this ride on Facebook or elsewhere online. The sign-in sheet gives those who welcome having their photos posted a place to indicate that. Thanks!

MST’s On-Call Marina is not a fixed route, so it will not show on Google Maps. (Bus stops can be readily found using Google Maps. It is very handy. Simply zoom in far enough and you’ll see bus stops. If you hover your mouse over the bus stop icons, you’ll see which lines service those stops.)

Driving direx

Drivers coming from Monterey on Highway 1:

Take Lightfighter exit.

At second light, turn left onto 2nd–you’ll see signs for MIRA, Marina High School, Panetta Institute, District 4 Supervisor, and FT ORD DUNES STATE PARK.

At second stop sign on 2nd, turn left onto Divarty.

Keep following the FT ORD DUNES STATE PARK directional signs.

At first stop sign on Divarty, turn right.

Follow signs to park entrance.

About the departure point

Just off the Fort Ord Dunes State Park parking lot, there are benches with a stunning view of the coast, and a scenic boardwalk with signs about the area’s natural features.

A disabled accessible port-a-potty is located at the north side of the parking lot.

Tell others about the May 9, 2015 ride by sharing a link to this post (short link is http://bit.ly/InterGen2015) or by printing and sharing a poster.

Download a poster:

Why isn’t the meet-up location and route on the poster? Folks reading the poster are directed to this website or to telephone, so they will have necessary details before they come to the ride. Not online, by choice or necessity? We dig! Personally, we love to unplug from technology and talk with people directly. Feel free to phone us anytime, 831.375.6278.

Below: On the 2012 Intergenerational Ride. This is again part of the route on 5/9/15.

Wonder if experienced, ultra-fit cyclists can be counted on to be genuinely helpful to newbies, out-of-shape folks, or others who just need some help? Ya just gotta hang out with the right people–and they’ll be on this ride!

I can personally vouch for the fact that many of our ultra-fit cyclists encourage, rather than chuckle, at we who are far less in shape. When I started Bicycling Monterey in Spring 2009, I was doing steep, 1,000-ft climbs 5-6 days a week. Yup, in shape! After a vast increase in my office hours doing all this volunteer bike advocacy, my own miles–and fitness–have diminished. Riding with Cath and others like her means their good cheer, patience, and kind support will boost your spirits on any hills. And remember: this ride is mostly flat anyway!

Maybe you saw Steve, Charlie, and Devian of VCM serving as Knights of the Central Coast for visitors with young children. These are more of the sort of caring people you will find at the Intergenerational Ride!

Below: Part of the 5/9/15 route. Pictured is the mobile mechanic for the inaugural ride in 2012, Rob Cepeda of Sports Center Bicycles, Seaside. Here’s a shout-out to local bike shops! We love how they support this ride.

InterGen ride, eh?

Sweet! Let’s go.

Looking for more

Monterey County Bike Month activities?

In support of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Bike Month activities, the Intergenerational Ride is annually facilitated by Mari Lynch, Bicycling Monterey with the help of her business, Fine Wordworking. The business was established in Monterey County by Mari in 1981.

In May 2009, as a public service, Mari founded Bicycling Monterey. Mari continues to provide the Bicycling Monterey website and projects entirely on a volunteer basis, in collaboration with the community. Contributions and volunteers are welcome and appreciated.